Exotic dancer charged with rape after party in Wareham

An exotic dancer is facing rape charges after two women reported that they were sexually assaulted during his performance at a private party in a Wareham residence Tuesday.

STEVE DeCOSTA

WAREHAM — An exotic dancer faces rape charges after two women reported they were sexually assaulted during his performance at a private party in a Wareham residence Tuesday.

One woman, 21, reported the assault the following day and police found the second victim during their investigation, according to a release from the Wareham Police Department.

Patrick Ladapo, 31, of Providence, was arraigned in Wareham District Court Thursday on two counts of rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, police said. He was held on $20,000 bail and his case continued to Sept. 26.

Under the stage name of “Damion,” Ladapo is a dancer contracted by Boston-based Blaze Entertainment, which provides male and female exotic dancers for private parties. According to police reports obtained through District Court, he was paid $180 to perform at a sex toys party for 10 or 11 women.

After performing for the group, Ladapo took the victims, one at a time, for private dances in a bedroom, where he raped them, the report said.

According to the police report, Ladapo denied raping the women, but said to a detective: “How do I admit to you, a total stranger, that I had sex with that girl? Rape is a whole other level.”

He also said, according to the report: “That girl was crazy. She pulled my condom off. She was aggressive and out of control.

Ladapo has no prior record but a Wareham police report said: “He was a suspect in a similar incident with a Brown University student in April 2008. The incident resulted in Mr. Ladapo being expelled from Brown. The victim refused to pursue criminal charges.”

Ladapo's attorney, James Hanley of Fall River, said: “I don't know where that information came from. I do know that no criminal charges were brought, nor did he agree to any wrongdoing.”

Hanley declined comment on any other aspects of the case.

A phone message left at Blaze Entertainment was returned by a man who identified himself as Will, the owner, but he refused to provide his last name.

Will said the incident “is a complete shock to me.” He said he looks into the criminal past of all dancers who contract with his booking agency and, if they have a record, “We just wouldn't use them.”

Asked if any of his dancers had faced similar charges in the 13 years he has run Blaze, Will said: “No, never.”

Asked why, as of Thursday afternoon, the Blaze website was still listing “Damion” as one of its available dancers, Will said: “I'm waiting to actually speak to the lead detective. We're trying to cooperate with (police).”

Within an hour, “Damion's” listing had been removed from the website.

According to the Blaze website, “Damion” was available in seven different costumes, including police officer. One of the victims told police he was supposed to be dressed as a police officer Tuesday but showed up in Army camouflage instead.

Wareham police said the investigation of the incident is ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact detectives at 508-295-1206 or leave anonymous information through the “Text-A-Tip” program at www.warehampolice.com.